🐝 The Buzz About Beneficial Insects: How to Attract Garden Helpers
There’s a whole world of tiny garden heroes just waiting to help you grow! From ladybirds chomping on pesky aphids to solitary bees quietly pollinating your veg patch, these often-overlooked insects are vital to a thriving, healthy garden. Today, we’re shining a light on our favourite six-legged helpers — and how you can invite more of them to visit.
🐞 Why Beneficial Insects Are Brilliant
Let’s start with the basics — what are “beneficial insects”? Simply put, they’re bugs that help your garden thrive. Some act as natural pest control (goodbye, aphids!), others are expert pollinators. And the best part? You don’t need to do much to get them on board. A few thoughtful plant choices can turn your garden into a buzzing paradise.
🌼 Plant These to Attract Insects
Here are some of the superstar flowers available in our shop that will help attract garden helpers:
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Cosmos 🌸– These open, daisy-like blooms are a magnet for hoverflies and bees. Sow now for a colourful, pollinator-friendly display.
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Fennel 🌱– Not just for your kitchen! Fennel flowers are loved by lacewings and hoverflies, both brilliant for pest control.
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French Marigolds 🏵️– Their bright, cheerful faces draw in ladybirds — who happen to eat up to 50 aphids a day!
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Calendula (Pot Marigold) – Easy to grow and adored by bees and hoverflies alike.
You’ll find all of these in our shop here! perfectly chosen to boost biodiversity and beauty in one go.
🐛 Meet the Bug!
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🐞 Ladybird
Superpower: Aphid Exterminator
Fun Fact: A single ladybird can munch through 5,000 aphids in its lifetime!
Where to Find Them: Often seen patrolling roses, tomato plants, and hovering near French marigolds in search of pests.
Did You Know?
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The name “Ladybird” comes from early depictions of the Virgin Mary, who was often shown wearing a red cloak.
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The scientific family name, Coccinellidae, originates from the Latin word coccineus, meaning “scarlet.”
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Ladybird spots don’t show age – they tell you what species it is!
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The most common in the UK is the 7-spot ladybird – red with seven black dots.
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There are around 47 ladybird species in the UK, but over 5,000 globally.
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Not all ladybirds are red – some are yellow, orange, black, or even striped!
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The wings they fly with are transparent and tucked under their colourful wing cases.
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The Harlequin Ladybird is highly invasive and threatens native species.
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Ladybirds hibernate from October to February – they love cozy pine cone shelters!
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When threatened, they secrete yellow fluid with a bitter taste to deter predators.
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Some female ladybirds carry a bacterium that kills male embryos – a natural population balancer!
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Adults can live 1 to 3 years depending on their species and environment.
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👧 Kid-Friendly Corner: Bug Spotter’s Guide 🖍
Want to get your little ones involved? Download our free printable Bug Spotter’s Guide below!
Perfect for school holidays, garden walks, or weekend adventures. It features:
✅ Colourful illustrations
✅ Fun facts
✅ Space to tick off what you’ve seen
You could even make it into a mini nature journal. Why not let the kids name the bugs they find?
🌱 Final Thought
By planting just a few pollinator-friendly flowers and welcoming the wonderful bugs who love them, you’re helping your garden — and the planet — thrive. It's a win-win for gardeners and insects alike.
So next time you spot a hoverfly or a shiny red ladybird, give them a little thanks — they’re working hard behind the scenes!